Wire insertion tool

ABSTRACT

A tool for inserting wires into contact clips comprises a wire insertion head for positioning relative to the contact clip and being axially slidable in a cylinder in the tool. The piston and cylinder are arranged so that axial movement of the piston, and insertion head reduces the volume of a chamber at the rear of the piston. A cartridge of sealant material is carried by the tool and feeds sealant to the chamber under pressure via a port which is closed off on rearward axial movement of the piston. Sealant is then forced through a bore in the piston to eject adjacent at the insertion head to envelope the junction between wire and contact clip in sealant. A known form of impact mechanism can be provided for actuation on the piston and a wire cutting edge is provided on the insertion head.

United States Patent Charron et al.

[ Sept. 23, 1975 1 WIRE INSERTION TOOL [75] Inventors: Louis Donald Charron, Greely; Prlmary Exammer'c arl David Alexander Stevenson, Ottawa, Attorney Agent or Flrm sldney Jelly both of Canada [57] ABSTRACT [73 Asslgnee: Northern Elecmc Company Lmmed A tool for inserting wires into contact clips comprises Montreal Canada a wire insertion head for positioning relative to the [22] Filed: De 19, 1974 contact clip and being axially slidable in a cylinder in the tool. The piston and cylinder are arranged so that [2]] Appl' 534296 axial movement of the piston, and insertion head reduces the volume of a chamber at the rear of the pis- [52] US. Cl. 29/203 HC; 7/14 1 R; 29/203 H; ton. A cartridge of sealant material is carried by the 29/628 tool and feeds sealant to the chamber under pressure [51] im. (:1. H01R 43/00 via a P which is closed Off on rearward axial move- [58] Field f S h 29/203 R, 203 H, 203 HT, ment of the piston. Sealant is then forced through a 29/203 HC, 628; 7/14,1 R bore in the piston to eject adjacent at the insertion head to envelope the junction between wire and [56] References Cit d contact clip in sealant. A known form of impact mech- UNITED STATES PATENTS anism can be provided for actuation on the piston and 3 168 750 2/1965 Gamker Jr 29/203 H a wire cutting edge is provided on the insertion head. 3,742,573 7/1973 Kaufmari....'. '29/203 H 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures J 7 \w -=:=====-.\w; a& i, I /\I I I I I 5 gs 6 7 s\\\\\\\\\\\////-; i a a E.

66 )/,/5 V I 4? 40 15 444mg 34 62 WIRE INSERTION TOOL This invention relates to wire insertion tools, and in particular though not exclusively, to wire insertion tools for inserting wires in connecting blocks, for example as in making connections between feeder cable conductors and distribution cable conductors,.and similar connections, in telephone systems.

A wire insertion tool is used to insert a conductor into a terminal clip. Terminal clips are usually arranged in a block or module, in a compact closely spaced array. Conveniently the tool both cuts off excess wire and inserts the wire into the connector clip.

Problems have arisen with conventional connections in that corrosion occurs at the connection. The present invention provides a tool which both inserts a wire into a terminal clip and also ejects a predetermined amount of sealing compound onto the connection.

Essentially, a wire insertion tool in accordance with the present invention comprises a wire inserting and cut-off head mounted on an axially moveable piston, an impact mechanism acting on the piston, and a sealing compound feeding chamber and associated valving which is arranged to eject a predetermined amount of sealing compound to the inserting and cut-off head as the piston is retracted on wire insertion. Conveniently a container for sealing compound is mounted on the tool and connected to the feed chamber.

The invention will be readily understood by the following description of one embodiment, by way of example, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a tool on its longitudinal axis,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section on the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on the line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section on the line IVIV of FIG.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a wire insertion tool has a handle portion and a barrel portion 11. The barrel portion is hollow. having an axially extending bore 12. Conveniently the tool casing is formed from two plastic moldings forming opposed halves l3 and 14, as seen in FIGS.'2, 3 and 4.

At the forward end of the bore 12 is mounted a metal cylinder 15. Cylinder 15 has an axially extending bore having three main diameter portions 16, 17 and 18, portion 16 the largest and at the forward end, portion 17 the intermediate diameter; and portion 18 the smallest diameter and at the rearward end.

Slidable axially in the bore of the cylinder 15 is a piston 19. The forward end of piston 19 is a close sliding fit in portion 16 of the cylinder bore, an intermediate portion 20 is a close sliding fit in the intermediate diameter portion of the cylinder bore and a rear portion 21 is a close sliding fit in the smallest diameter portion of the cylinder bore. A compression spring 22 sits on the rear face of the forward end of piston 19 to urge the piston to a forward portion.

The piston 19 extends rearwardly beyond the cylinder 15. Two flats 25 are formed on the small diameter portion 21, the flats cooperating with slider members 26 retained in recesses 27 in the tool casing. Flats 25 and members 26 maintain the correct positioning of the piston 19 in the tool.

At the rear end of the piston 19 is an extension 30 on which is mounted a conventional impact mechanism.

This mechanism comprises an anvil 31 axially slidable on the extension 30, with a radially slidable plunger 32. Plunger 32 is urged towards the casing by a spring 33, and there is an internal bore 34. Normally the bore 34 is offset relative to the extension 30, but rearward movement of the piston 19', and thus extension 30 moves the anvil 31 rearwards: due to the end of the extension 30 pushing on the plunger 32. The outer end of the'plunger 32 is inclined and moves axially against an inclined surface 35 on the bore of the casing. The anvil moves rearward against the action of a spring 36. As rearward movement continues the plunger is moved radially inwards until the bore 34 is aligned with the extension 30 at which the anvil is pushed rapidly against the end surface 37 on the portion 21 of the piston. This actuates a cutting action as will be described. The impact mechanism is of a well known form.

Mounted on the forward end of the piston 19 is a cutting and ejection head 40. At the forward end is a chisel shaped cutting edge 41, and beneath the cutting edge is a clearance slot 42 which fits over a terminal when a wire is being inserted. Extending through the head is an axial bore 43 which is aligned with an axial bore 44 extending through the forward part of the piston 19. The bore 43 eventually exits at port 45 in the circumference of the portion 21 of piston 19 just rearward of the junction between portion 21 and portion 20. At the junction between bore 43 and bore 44 is a one way spring loaded ball valve 46.

Attached beneath the barrel portion of the tool is a cartridge of sealant material for example a non corrosive grease. The cartridge 50 snaps into position by flexing of the edges 51 ofa. recess 52. The cartridge is inserted by snapping in and is then pushed forward by a spring loaded plunger or piston 53. The forward end of the cartridge enters a recess 54 and at the same time a feed tube 55, having a sharpened end 56 pierces the end of the cartridge. The feed tube extends through the tool casing to exit via a port 57 in the portion 17 of the axial bore in the cylinder 15. Port 57 is slightly forward of the junction of portions 17 and 18 of the bore. The plunger of piston 53 acts on a movable end 58 of the cartridge under the action of the spring 59. The plunger can be withdrawn by a flexible cable 60. An enlargement 61 on the plunger '53 can be caused to engage with a rim 62 in the handle portion to hold the plunger withdrawn while a used cartridge is removed and a new cartridge inserted.

The tool as illustrated is in the free or inactivated condition. Between the rear end of portion 20 of piston 19 and the reduced diameter portion 18 of the cylinder 15 is formed a chamber 65. The port 57, at the end of the feed tube 55, opens into this chamber at a position towards the end of portion 20 of the piston. This chamber 65 is filled with the sealing compound from the cartridge 50 via the feed tube 55.. The spring loaded ball valve 46 closes the bore or feed passage 43.

The particular form of cutting and ejection head 40 fitted to the piston 19, is designed for inserting wires into terminals having two closely spaced legs. As the wire is pushed into the gap between the legs, edges on the legs cut into the electrical insulation and electrical contact is made between terminal and wire.

To install or insert a wire into a terminal, the wire is positioned across the terminal resting on the top of the narrow gap. The tool is positioned with the slot 42 aligned with the outer end of the terminal. Pressure on the tool causes the edge 41 and the flat end 66 to push the wire down in the gap, between the legs of the terminal. At the same time the piston 19 is moving rearwards in the barrel portion 1 1. Movement of the piston 19 reduces the volume of the chamber 65.

After a short movement of the piston 19 the port 57 at the end of feed tube 55 is shut off by the portion 20 of the piston 19. Further rearward movement of the piston forces sealing material, or grease, via port 45 to bore 44. Valve 46 is opened and the sealing material passes along bore 43 and is ejected at an outlet 67 just below the cutting edge 41 on to the connection between wires and terminal.

Also, as the piston 19 is moving rearwards the impact mechanism is actuated. The end of the extension 30 pushed back the anvil 31 and plunger 32. As anvil and plunger move rearwards, the plunger is pushed down by the inclined surface 35. Eventually the bore 34 in the plunger 32 becomes aligned with the end of the extension 30 and the anvil is thrust rapidly against the end surface 37 of portion 21, as previously described. This causes a sharp blow to be imparted to piston 19 and the cutting head 40 cutting the wire by the cutting edge 41.

Removal of the tool reverses this operation. Piston 19 returns forward under the action of the spring 22, uncovering port 57 which allows sealing material to flow from the cartridge 50 into the chamber 65. At the same time the impact mechanism is rest.

The placing of sealant at connections reduces or prevents corrosion at these positions. In some circumstances it may be desired to eject sealant to an existing connection in which case the cutting end can be omitted. The amount of sealant ejected will depend upon the size of the chamber 65 and also the position of the port 57.

What is claimed is:

l. A wire insertion tool for inserting wires into a contact clip, comprising:

a barrel portion;

a cylinder in said barrel portion at a forward end thereof;

a piston slidable mounted in said cylinder;

a wire inserting head mounted on a forward end of said piston;

a spring resiliently urging said piston to a forward position in said cylinder to form a chamber in said cylinder;

a port opening into said chamber in said cylinder at a position rearward of said piston when said piston is in its forward position;

means for supplying a sealant under pressure to said port;

a bore extending through said piston, an outlet from said bore positioned adjacent a cutting member on said wire inserting head and an inlet to said bore opening to said chamber;

the whole so arranged that on pressure of said tool on a wire said inserting head pushes said wire into said contact clip, said piston moves rearwardly to first shut off said port opening into said chamber and to decrease the volume of said chamber whereby sealant is caused to flow through said bore from said chamber and be ejected from said outlet.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 including a cutting edge on said wire inserting head; and

impact means acting on said piston, said impact means actuated on a predetermined travel of said piston.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, comprising a barrel portion and a hand portion, said means for supplying sealant under pressure comprising a replaceable cartridge actuated to said barrel portion.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, the axis of said cartridge parallel to the axis of said barrel portion, said cartridge including, an axially movable rear end portion, and a spring mounted in said handle portion and urging said movable rear end portion to eject sealant from said cartridge. 

1. A wire insertion tool for inserting wires into a contact clip, comprising: a barrel portion; a cylinder in said barrel portion at a forward end thereof; a piston slidable mounted in said cylinder; a wire inserting head mounted on a forward end of said piston; a spring resiliently urging said piston to a forward position in said cylinder to form a chamber in said cylinder; a port opening into said chamber in said cylinder at a position rearward of said piston when said piston is in its forward position; means for supplying a sealant under pressure to said port; a bore extending through said piston, an outlet from said bore positioned adjacent a cutting member on said wire inserting head and an inlet to said bore opening to said chamber; the whole so arranged that on pressure of said tool on a wire said inserting head pushes said wire into said contact clip, said piston moves rearwardly to first shut off said port opening into said chamber and to decrease the volume of said chamber whereby sealant is caused to flow through said bore from said chamber and be ejected from said outlet.
 2. A tool as claimed in claim 1 including a cutting edge on said wire inserting head; and impact means acting on said piston, said impact means actuated on a predetermined travel of said piston.
 3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, comprising a barrel portion and a hand portion, said means for supplying sealant under pressure comprising a replaceable cartridge actuated to said barrel portion.
 4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, the axis of said cartridge parallel to the axis of said barrel portion, said cartridge including, an axially movable rear end portion, and a spring mounted in said handle portion and urging said movable rear end portion to eject sealant from said cartridge. 